In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).
Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
This installment features 264 Front Street, Chamberlain House. In 1855, the Greek Revival cottage at 264 Front Street was owned by B.A. Chamberlain. Later, Capt. Ichabod Lewis, a tea-kettle captain, bought the property. A tea-kettle captain was one who sailed up and down the coast and was not as highly regarded as those who sailed the seven seas. Another tea-kettle captain, Henry Dow Allen, was a later owner of this house.